Bella, abused dog, ready for new home

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - After four months of recovery, Bella is ready for adoption.

The pit bull mix was found chained in a McIntosh resident's yard in February.

When the dog stood up, her ribs and backbone were clearly visible. Bella was taken to Arc Animal Clinic for veterinary care and later released to a foster home.

A neighbor spotted the dog chained in the yard and called her "a pitiful sight." He said she had been there for more than a year.

“When I first got her, her butt was completely bare. Her neck had hardly any fur on it, around her eyes, all over her she was missing fur,” said Bella’s foster mom Kaci Stokley.  

Bella has completed some training, as well as treatment for several medical problems.

“For a couple of months, we worked about once a week meeting with a trainer to work on her aggression issues. And she has definitely improved with that,” Stokley said.

Bella is taking medication for heart worms and needs to be spayed but Stokley said she is ready for adoption.

“The hardest part of rescue is letting them go. And with Bella, I’m so attached with her but she needs a good family. And I know that so ill have to let her go,” Stokley said.

Bella loves people but is sometimes aggressive with other dogs according to Stokley.

“We feel it would be best if she be the only dog and be able to get all the attention she deserves,” Stokley said.

You can visit the  Safe Haven Animal Care Kennels ( S.H.A.C.K.) Facebook page for more information or send an email if you're interested in adopting Bella.